MANILA -- De La Salle University completed a come-from-behind win against Far Eastern University, 64-60, to snap a two-game slide in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The slim win kept the Lady Archers' hopes of making the Final 4 alive, as they improved to 3-8 with three games left in their elimination round schedule.

They are currently tied with FEU and the University of the Philippines for fifth to seventh places in the league standings, though they are all three games behind the Ateneo Blue Eagles (6-5) at No. 4.

Ateneo will take on FEU on Saturday, and a win for the Blue Eagles will oust the Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Archers, and the Fighting Maroons from contention.

In her first game since September 8 after suffering a bone bruise on her left knee, Betts Binaohan shined with 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

La Salle's Betts Binaohan in action against FEU in the UAAP Season 87 women's basketball tournament, November 6, 2024 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP MediaLuisa San Juan, who drilled in a record 10 triples in the first round against the Lady Tamaraws, contributed 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

"Tinignan ko kung ano pwede ko gawin, so inaral ko yung game. Kung ano yung mga pwede kong gawin habang injured ako, binabasa ko yung tendencies ng teammates ko and weaknesses nila para pagbalik ko, alam ko kung ano yung strength nila and magamit namin ‘yon sa loob ng court," Binaohan said.

FEU turned a slim 32-30 halftime lead into a nine-point advantage, 55-46, going into the fourth quarter, thanks to a 19-9 surge led by Yvette Villanueva, EJ Lopez, and MJ Manguiat.

However, La Salle responded with a dominant 13-2 run in the final period, reclaiming the lead at 62-60 after Bernice Paraiso split her free throws with less than a minute remaining.

Another free throw from Paraiso, along with a critical defensive stop on Yvette Villanueva's potential game-tying three-pointer, secured the Lady Archers' third victory in 11 outings.

The win also marked La Salle's second triumph over FEU this season, following an impressive 89-65 victory in their first-round matchup on September 25.

"I told the girls na everytime we step on the floor, we want to compete. If we're in the running or if we're out of the running, we're here and in front of our LaSallian community and we want to compete every time," La Salle head coach Cholo Villanueva said. "Every play, every minute, and every second on the floor, we just want to compete and win."

On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws' Final Four hopes dimmed after falling to a similar 3-8 card for a share of seventh place alongside the Lady Archers and the UP Fighting Maroons.

Manguiat paced FEU in the losing effort with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Villanueva tallied 15 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.

Lopez ended the day with 14 points, five assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Shane Salvani, meanwhile, went scoreless, missing all 14 of her attempts from the field and committing 11 turnovers but still contributed eight rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a block.

La Salle now aims to build momentum and keep its Final Four hopes alive in its next game against the University of the Philippines on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

THE SCORES:

DLSU (64) – Binaohan 15, San Juan 14, Sunga 11, Sario 8, Mendoza 7, Dalisay 7, Paraiso 2, Dela Paz 0, Camba 0, Barcierto 0, Santos 0, Delos Reyes 0.

FEU (60) – Manguiat 16, Villanueva 15, Lopez 14, Pasilang 5, Paras 4, Ong 4, Nagma 2, Salvani 0, Dela Torre 0.

Quarterscores: 16-10, 30-32, 46-55, 64-60